The Quilt Association is a membership organisation run by volunteers. It was originally formed in 1996 when a group of friends with an interest in patchwork and quilting decided to investigate the possibility of setting up a quilting centre in Mid Wales. It has strong links with other quilting and patchwork organisations, including The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles and the British Quilt Study Group. The Quilt Association is perhaps best known for its annual summer exhibition, which takes place every year from mid July to mid September. This exhibition has gained a reputation for showcasing excellent contemporary works alongside a selection of antique quilts – drawn from collections around the country. Each summer there is a programme of related workshops. Another of the Association’s priorities is to care for its growing collection of antique quilts, many of which are from the local area. The collection is made available, by appointment, for study – for personal or research purposes. Volunteers catalogue the items in the collection, arrange conservation work, and research individual items – looking at construction techniques, fabrics, quilting and patchwork styles and the social history of the maker. As appropriate, the items are exhibited at the Centre or elsewhere, and some items have featured in publications – books and magazines. For the last two years The Quilt Association has had a stand at the Festival of Quilts at the NEC in Birmingham in mid August – and brought some of the collection to a yet wider audience. The Quilt Association also owns and manages The Minerva Arts Centre in Llanidloes where it is based. When the Centre is not being used for quilting and patchwork exhibitions, it is made available to other organisations for hire, often for related textile and craft activities. Regular annual events include the Wool and Willow Festival and the Christmas Craft Fair. Check out the Exhibitions and Events pages on our Website for further information www.quilt.org.uk The Quilt Association promotes quilting and patchwork from its base at The Minerva Arts Centre in Llanidloes, Mid Wales.

Volunteering opportunities with the Quilt Association

General Office duties :- Filing, up-dating our database

General maintenance :- Painting, general repairs.

Preparing for exhibitions:- Moving screens, tables and chairs.

Setting up exhibitions

Stewarding at exhibitions

Publicity :- Leaflet distribution, envelope stuffing, contacting publications

Fund raising :- seeking funding opportunities, putting funding bids together.

Care, cataloguing and conservation of the Heritage Quilt Collection